Song of the Red Cloak
Author: Chantel Acevedo
Publisher: Self published via CreateSpace
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 310
Series: Song of the Red Cloak, book one
Source: Purchased
About the Book: Two Spartan boys grow up together, and become inseparable friends. One is a prince of Sparta , destined to rule this ancient Greek state, the other a slave, or helot, who serves the young prince. In the harsh training camps, or agoges, where boys are groomed to become the great warriors of Spartan fame, their skills are honed and brutally tested. Only citizens may aspire to the warrior’s Red Cloak, and one of the tests is the annual crypteia, or hunting of the helots. A beautiful and mysterious young Sibyl speaks of an uprising of the slaves. The Oracles warn of a deadly conflict between two ruling factions. Evil forces will challenge the two boys and test their loyalties, as secret truths about their own identities are revealed.
My Thoughts: Disclaimer: I typically don’t read self published books. I don’t have anything against them. I just have so many books to read and it can be so hit and miss. This one was a bit different. First, Rachel Hawkins (one of my favorite authors!) raved about this book on Twitter. That was enough to convince me to buy it. Then I read this post by the author on her decision to self publish. That is what convinced me to move the book up to teh top of Mt. TBR 🙂 Well, that and the fact that it takes place in SPARTA!!! How can you not want to read that?!?!?
I adored the time and place that this book was set. I was so interested in the customs and culture of the people. I know it’s historical fiction so the author can take some liberties with actual events and such but I still loved it. And the mythologies! I find Greek gods and goddesses to be so interesting to read about. I just loved all of it!
Song of the Red Cloak started off with a prologue that caught my attention. I wanted to know more about the events mentioned and what happened to the families involved. It also kept me guessing about how the characters from the story fit with the prologue. I wanted to know where Galen and Nikolas fit, as well as Acayo and his crew.
At times this book was really hard to read because the Spartan culture was heavy on the blood and violence. They were warriors plain and simple. Things like the Crypteia made me ill. (I can’t decide if describing it would be spoilery or not so you can go here and read what it is at your own risk! It takes place in the book but I don’t think it gives anything away!) The fighting and violence really isn’t more than books like The Hunger Games. It affected me more because I know that it is based on a time and place in history. The mentality that so disturbed me actually existed and drove a people group. The story was still amazing and I couldn’t put it down but it really got to me.
Song of the Red Cloak is an addictive read! Action, danger, romance, mythology, history… it has it all!
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